Rox Finish Season With .500 Record

After the starting the season 5-13, the Grand Junction Rockies finished 2017 with a 38-38 record despite a 5-2 loss to the Orem Owlz in Saturday afternoon's season finale at Brent Brown Ballpark.

The Rockies go 20-18 in the second half after an 18-20 first half, and 2017 is just the third time in franchise history that the club finishes over .500.

Orem broke a scoreless tie in the fourth when Angel Molina singled home Spencer Griffin, but Kennard McDowell led off the fifth with his third home run, and Brett Stephens doubled home Shael Mendoza to give the Rockies the lead, but it vanished in the bottom of the inning.

The first two Owlz reached and Jeyson Sanchez brought home the tying run on a ground out, then Molina doubled home a run. Manuel Guzman doubled home a pair with two out in the sixth to make it 5-2, and in the seventh, the Owlz scored three runs with two out.

Justin Valdespina made his 15th start of the season and allowed three runs, one earned, in four innings, falling to 3-6 on the season. Alexander Martinez allowed a pair of runs in two innings, while Derrik Watson allowed three in the seventh. Hunter Williams threw up a zero in the eighth.

Ramon Marcelino led off the ninth with his 19th home run of the season, giving the Rockies 115 for the season, most in Pioneer League history, besting the previous record by 18, and after Tyler Bates grounded out, the next three Rockies reached, but Stephens grounded into a game-ending double play.

Grand Junction had 10 hits, three from Mendoza, who finishes with 84 on the season, fourth most in a single season in franchise history.

Marcelino's home run was his second hit of the game and he finishes the season batting .318 with 55 RBI.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.